The Sins of Nightsong. V. J. Banis

Frenchman,” he said. He laid her wrap and bag on a chair and freshened his drink.

      “I’ve been handling Raymond for years. He’s just another spoiled little boy who must have everything his way.”

      “And you give it to him.”

      “Yes,” she said bluntly. “I have more than enough for myself and for my family. Raymond is welcome to the rest.”

      “Men who are given a free hand get very greedy as time passes. Be careful, Lydia, and don’t give him too much or he will wind up wanting it all.”

      She knew there was truth in what he said, but she saw no way out of her situation. Raymond wasn’t really a bad sort—wild and impetuous like so many men, but of all the men she’d known Raymond was the only one who’d made her forget Peter for a time. It was wrong for her to have gone to bed with Raymond; at the time, however, she’d had no other choice. He had demanded it and to her surprise she hadn’t found it unexciting. He was an expert at pleasing a woman; he was a Frenchman.

      She chuckled softly. “He already wants it all, Peter. Marrying me gives him everything.”

      He stared at her, his mouth slightly open. “You aren’t considering marrying him, are you?”

      “No, of course not.”

      “Then you’d better do something about him before he takes you over completely. He’s already acting as if he were the boss and you the employee.”

      Lydia toyed with a stray lock that had come unpinned. She went toward the mirror, keeping her eyes fixed on Peter in the glass. “I know only one way I can be rid of Raymond’s influence.”

      “What’s that?”

      She pinned the curl and turned around. “If you and I consolidated our companies.” She saw him frown. Quickly she said, “I’m convinced, Peter, that the two of us could make Empress Cosmetics a success without Raymond’s talented nose.”

      “Empress Cosmetics?” Peter sneered. “Why not MacNair Cosmetics?”

      “Because my company has the better reputation, if you want a perfectly blunt answer.”

      “Me become secondary to you?”

      “We’d be equal partners with neither of us holding more than a fifty-percent stock interest. I’ve been thinking of that new venture you are planning with the Lady Lorna....”

      “Lady Lydia,” he was quick to correct.

      “I think that is a big mistake. And another mistake you are making is that you’re insisting on having the product sold by men. Women would be far more successful.”

      “Women?” He put back his head and laughed.

      “Don’t scoff at the idea, Peter. I’ve thought it through and I believe between us we could really build our cosmetic companies into one of the largest empires in the country.” She touched his arm. “Come in with me, Peter. Let’s work together.”

      He thought for a moment, then put down his glass. “No, I want to make a success of my venture by doing it my way.”

      “You’re being stubborn.”

      “I’m being sensible. Besides, my enterprise isn’t being financed with my money. I have a backer who must be taken into consideration.”

      “Who?”

      “I don’t want to say.”

      “Who’s backing you, Peter?” she insisted, looking at him with suspicion.

      “That is none of your business, if you’ll excuse my being rude.”

      He was looking uncomfortable, which strengthened Lydia’s suspicions. “It’s Lorna’s money, isn’t it?”

      Peter glared at her. “I said my money affairs are of no concern of yours.”

      “It is Lorna’s money. I can read it in your face.”

      “All right, so what if it is?”

      Lydia felt herself beginning to crumble. None of his promises of love and marriage meant anything. He was all tied up snug and tight to his wife, and he’d taken the money Lorna had offered. “How could you, Peter? If you wanted to marry me and love me as you claim, why didn’t you come to me for the money?”

      “Because Lorna is my wife. There’s a difference.”

      “She’s still a woman.”

      “She’s my wife, damn it.”

      “A wife you told me just last evening that you are only too anxious to be rid of. What kind of a man are you, Peter? It’s all too obvious to me now that you prefer Lorna’s money to me. You will never leave her; I can see that now. You are nothing but a hypocrite,” she spat. “You’ve been leaning on that woman and her rich family too long to be able to do without the crutch.”

      “You’re dead wrong,” he said angrily. “All right, I’m using Lorna’s money. So what?”

      “She has a hold on you, Peter, one you will never be able to break. I see that now. I was a fool to think you might have changed. You’re still the same selfish, self-centered, male peacock I met twenty-four years ago. You used Lorna then. You used me. You’ll use anyone if it benefits you. You’re a monster.” She felt the tears threatening and hurriedly averted her face.

      He came to her and tried to take her in his arms.

      “Don’t touch me. Please leave. I think I’ve made a big enough fool of myself for one night.”

      Peter grabbed her and shook her until the stray curl slipped from the pin again, taking several others with it. “You listen to me, Lydia.”

      She wrenched herself free, knowing she was helpless when he physically overpowered her. “Get out of my house.”

      “No. I am not leaving here until we have had this settled.” He pulled her forcefully into his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth.

      Lydia fought against him and when he released her she slapped his face. “Get out! Go back to Lorna where you obviously belong. I never want to see you again.”